Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Making Bootleg Kit

Make your own Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey with an American White Oak Barrel Bootleg Kit. Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is reminiscent of traditional small scale pot still bourbons from the 1800's. The kit includes everything you need to make your finest blend of Whiskey aged to perfection. Made in the USA. Alcohol NOT included.

Age bourbon whiskey to taste with this charred whiskey making barrel kit. Handcrafted in USA. Option to personalize barrel for special touch.

How the make your own bourbon whiskey kit works:

Start by curing your oak whiskey barrel. Pour most of a 750ml bottle of 40% alc./vol. grain alcohol, neutral vodka or swish alcohol into the barrel. Add 1 bottle of Small Batch Bourbon Essence and fill the barrel with the remaining alcohol. Shake well to mix thoroughly. It's best when aged for 2 or more weeks but if you can't wait... Drink Now!

Make Your Own Whiskey Barrel Kit Includes:

American White Oak Barrel with stand, bung, spigot (charred)

Flavoring Essence 1 Bottle Per Liter

Paper Funnel

Barrel Cleaning Kit

With proper care you can enjoy your spirits making barrel for 8-10 years!

Personalized Oak Barrel Dimensions:

1 Liter 6.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches

2 Liter 7.5 x 5 x 5 inches

3 Liter 8.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches

5 Liter 9.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches

10 Liter 12 x 8 x 8 inches

20 Liter 15 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches

Ok, I've received my barrel, now what do I do?.....

Curing your Barrel

No glue or nails are used in the making of our barrels. As such, barrel preperation called "curing" is required prior to use. This process serves two functions;

1) Allows the barrel to swell to prevent leaking, and

2) Limits the amount of alcohol absorbed by the barrel.

Start by placing the appropriate number of storing tablets in the barrel and filling the barrel with boiling or hot water. Allow it to soak for 3 to 5 days.

Water may leak from between the staves or at the barrel head seam. This is normal and will stop within 24 hours as the wood swells. Barrels that do not leak should still be cured for 3 to 5 days. This will minimize the amount of alcohol absorbed by the barrel staves.

After curing the barrel, empty the solution and rinse with hot water 3 times. Now fill the barrel with your spirits and place the bung in tightly. ...Enjoy!

Storing Barrel Between Uses

When storing your barrel between uses, always keep the barrel filled with a sterilized water solution. This will keep the barrel from drying out and keep bacteria from growing in the barrel. We suggest using Swish Barrel Storing Tablets .

Swish Barrel Storing Tablets are pre-measured doses of sulfites formulated to kill bacteria and inhibit the growth of wild yeast and microbes in the barrel.

When storing or cleaning your barrel between uses, dissolve the appropriate quantity of tablets in water. Pour mixture in the barrel and fill completely with additional water. Store in cool damp conditions if possible. Rinse 3x prior to use.

Barrel Cleaning

Barrels should be cleaned after every 2 or 3 aging batches or when changing from spirit types.

To clean the barrel, use a Barrel Cleaning Kit and follow the directions below...

Barrel CleaningInstructions:

1) Dissolve the Barrel-Kleen into 1 U.S. gallon of warm water. Fill the barrel with this cleaning solution and soak for 24 hours. Empty and rinse 3 times with hot water.

2) Dissolve the Neutralizing Acid into 1 gallon of warm water. Fill the barrel with this neutralizing solution and soak for 15 minutes. Empty and rinse the barrel 3 times with hot water.

3) To re-char the barrel interior, drain the barrel for 3 hours. Place a butane torch in the bung and spigot hole and re-char the inside.

4) When storing the barrel or prior to re-use, dissolve the 2 sterilizing tablets in 1 gallon of cool water. Fill the barrel with the solution. Swish around for a few minutes and rinse 3 times with hot water.

To prevent the barrel from drying out and minimize the possibility of contamination, barrels should always be stored full with spirits or sterilizing solution.

Barrel Questions...

What are the barrels made from?

Our barrels are made from premium quality American White Oak. The staves are air dried for two years and all barrels have a medium char. How do I cure the barrel? Barrels should be cured prior to use. Start by filling the barrel with boiling or hot water and leave it to soak for 3 to 5 days. This allows the barrel to swell tightly against the hoops and ensure that the barrel doesn't leak.

Are glues or nails used to make the barrel?

No, our barrels are all hand crafted with no use of glues or nails.

How should the barrel be stored?

Barrels are best stored in a cool damp environment such as a wine cellar. This will keep the exterior from drying out and minimize evaporation (Angels Share).

How many times can I use my barrel?

With proper care, you can use your barrel for 8 to 10 years. Following the cleaning and re-charing instructions will insure a long life for your product and be sure to not let your barrel dry out. I left my barrel dry for an extended time.

Now it leaks... what do I do?

In many cases just re-cure the barrel. If it continues leaking, submerge the barrel in water for a couple of days. After it's been submerged, dry the exterior with a towel and fill it with water to see if it continues to leak. If so, find the leak and apply barrel wax to the hole... If you can't stop the leaking... cut in half and use as a planter!